Hi no-green-thumb, Sorry it took me so long to see this post but you got some really good advice AND it seems like you are doing all of the right things for your bone health. I've known I had osteopenia since I was 55 (six years ago)(I'm very thin framed and a good candidate for osteoporosis) and was able to maintain, and in fact, increase my bone density ever so slightly through weight training, calcium, lots of Vitamin D. I also use Centrum Silver. After my total hysterectomy at 58, my bone density really decreased a lot within one year (no HRT because of breast cancer family history, but I increased my Vitamin D and Calcium and concentrated more on my weight training in the area where I had the bone loss. I just had a bone density test and it shows no further decrease, and again, a teeny increase. Today my doctor told me that if I hadn't worked out as much as I did or take the supplements, she really thinks I'd have osteoporosis. I know for certain exercise has kept my cholesterol levels unbelievably good since we have a family history of heart disease and my numbers are great....I also feel really, really good when I exercise (well, not during the exercise...but definitely after.) I am so glad you didn't take your doctor's advice about the Reclast, especially since you're borderline osteopenia. I bet the Vitamin D and calcium and the strength training you're doing will be much more beneficial with no side affects!

I have had no post-menopausal problems including hot flashes. This was a pleasant surprise to me because I had such horrible periods and PMS and I had read that the two are linked. My emotional state is the best it has been in my entire life. That surprised me too. I think getting off the estrogen roller coaster was good for me. I also reconnected to my faith so it is hard to say what comes from what. I have finally been released from a lifetime of painful shyness. It is such a joy not to have to plan every outing, every vacation, and weigh job offers on the basis of "when is my period due and what facilities will be available" Spending entire days in the bathroom because the flow was so relentless are over. Lying in bed trying not to scream from the cramps is over. Becoming suicidal once a month is over too. I have taken nothing and am glad for it, but all of my friends are either on HRT or tranquilizers to handle their post-menopausal problems. I guess I am just lucky or maybe I used up all my bad karma on the 44 years I spent trying to deal with all that mess and pain.

Many of these posts are confusing osteopenia with osteoporosis! No one is saying that osteoporosis is not a real condition. Whether to treat it or not, should be a joint decision between one and ones doctor. I have chosen not to treat my osteoporosis and my doctor is very comfortable with my decision. I tried Fosomax when I was first diagnosed - could not take it due to my GERD. We have talked about the once or twice yearly injection, but I seem to be the poster child for adverse reactions to drugs. I take a LOT of meds for my pulmonary condition, and one med for my GERD. I'm very reluctant to add another drug to my "witches brew", especially one that lasts for 6 months or one year - if one has an adverse reaction, it's not just a matter of stopping the drug - great harm can be done. I have no risk factors with my osteoporosis and while both my parents had this, no one ever had a break and my father fell constantly. If I have a fracture, I might well revisit this choice, but for now, I'm comfortable with it as is my doctor.

Altho not fond of winter here, I plan on doing all those little projects that never appear to be completed. We are planning on close to some heavy snow storms, accumulating close to 6 plus feet, through out the winter. I am hoping to find a fix for this crippling Rheumatoid, and to be able to tackle my snow shoes once again and have some shoeing time on a bright sunny day. The basement, especially "his" side needs a really good sorting out. My antique kitchen tool collection needs a good cleaning and sorting....might part with some of them, might just move them all around. Clothing in closets, rubbermaids and drawers, needs to be sorted, repaired, given away, whatever. My crafting project box needs a really good sorting out...what WILL be done, what will never be done, that sort of stuff. And, if I accomplish and or all of that, then I'll watch a new program or read something interesting!